Medical Device Electroplating
Precision metal plating solutions for implantable and minimally invasive devices. ProPlate supports medical device manufacturers with engineered plating solutions designed for complex geometries, micro-scale components, and critical performance requirements.
What Is the Medical Device Industry and Why Plating Matters
The medical device industry includes technologies used to diagnose, monitor, and treat conditions through implantable and minimally invasive devices.
Many of these devices rely on small, flexible components that must perform reliably within the body. Metal plating enables this performance without increasing size or complexity by supporting:
- Radiopacity for imaging visibility
- Electrical conductivity for sensing and stimulation
- Corrosion resistance in physiological environments
- Thin, conformal layers for device miniaturization
ProPlate’s medical device electroplating services are developed specifically for the performance, biocompatibility, and regulatory requirements of the medical device industry, with both facilities ISO 13485:2016 certified in Anoka, Minnesota.
Medical Device Segments We Support
ProPlate supports a wide range of medical device segments. Each area presents unique design and manufacturing challenges that influence plating requirements.
Cardiac & Electrophysiology
Cardiac Rhythm Management (CRM)
Implantable devices used for monitoring and regulating heart rhythm
Electrophysiology (EP)
Catheter-based mapping and ablation systems
Pulsed Field Ablation (PFA)
Next-generation ablation technology using pulsed energy
Structural & Interventional
Structural Heart
Transcatheter valve repair and replacement devices
Interventional Cardiology
Devices used in minimally invasive coronary procedures
Left Atrial Appendage Closure (LAA)
Implants designed to reduce stroke risk
Intravascular Lithotripsy (IVL)
Devices used to treat calcified vascular lesions
Neurovascular
Neurovascular
Devices used to treat conditions within the brain’s vascular system
Explore devices used in aneurysm treatment, stroke intervention, and embolization procedures.
Peripheral & Renal
Peripheral Vascular
Devices used in vessels outside of the heart and brain
Peripheral Vascular Assist Devices (PVAD)
Support devices for circulatory function
Renal Denervation (RDN)
Catheter-based treatment for hypertension
Additional Applications
Robotic-Assisted Surgery
Devices enabling precision-controlled minimally invasive procedures
Electrosurgery
Energy-based devices used for cutting, coagulation, and tissue modification
Endoscopy Devices
Flexible systems for visualization and intervention
Drug Delivery Systems
Devices designed for targeted therapeutic delivery
Implantable Sensors & Electrodes
Components used for monitoring and stimulation
Radiopharmaceutical
Cyclotron target plating for isotope production used in PET imaging and targeted cancer therapy.
These segments represent a portion of the medical applications ProPlate supports. Additional device types and specialized applications may also benefit from precision plating solutions.
Ready to move forward with your medical device project?
Procedures & Applications
Many of the devices supported by ProPlate are used in procedures such as:
- Catheter-based interventions
- Ablation procedures
- Stent and coil deployment
- Structural heart repair and replacement
These procedures require devices that can navigate complex anatomy while maintaining consistent performance.
Our robust metallizing processes are thoroughly designed and maintained to ensure the highest quality standards. Medical Device Quality System: ISO 13485:2016 Certified
Engineering Challenges in Medical Device Electroplating
Medical devices operate at micro-scale dimensions where precision, material compatibility, and performance are critical. From development through production, these challenges require carefully engineered surface solutions.
| Key Challenges | ProPlate Solutions | Achieving radiopacity without increasing profile | Selective Au and Pt plating visibility under fluoroscopy |
|---|---|
| Plating ultra-small, complex geometries | Precision masking and fixturing for micro-components |
| Adhesion on dissimilar materials | Proven adhesion processes for polymers and metals |
| Maintaining flexibility and mechanical integrity | Thin, conformal deposits that preserve flexibility |
| Controlling precious metal thickness and cost | Tight thickness control to optimize cost and performance |
ProPlate® Medical Coating Technologies
ProPlate has developed three proprietary metal coating technologies specifically for catheter-based and implantable medical device applications. Each technology addresses engineering challenges that standard electroplating processes cannot solve.
Vizi-Band®
Selective radiopaque marker coating that atomically bonds gold or platinum directly onto catheter components, eliminating dislodgement risk and enabling batch production of multiple markers simultaneously.
Meta-Poly®
Proprietary metal deposition process for medical-grade polymer substrates, creating an atomically bonded conductive layer without chemical etching or toxic processes.
Torq-Lok®
Patented braid plating process that locks wire intersections together to increase torque transmission, pushability, and radial force strength in braided catheter designs.
Want to evaluate ProPlate for your medical device plating program?
ProPlate Capabilities for Medical Devices
ProPlate® supports medical device manufacturers with advanced electroplating and selective plating solutions tailored to small, highly engineered medical components, including selective plating for complex geometries and tight tolerances, and micro-scale electroplating for small, high-precision assemblies.
Medical Metal Finishes
ProPlate offers three precious metal finishes specifically optimized for medical device applications, each available in bath chemistries formulated for biocompatibility, radiopacity, and regulatory compliance.
Medical Gold Plating
Biocompatible, radiopaque gold plating for implantable devices, catheter components, and electrophysiology applications. Soft gold and proprietary Vizi-Band Gold bath available.
Medical Platinum Plating
Biocompatible platinum plating for electrodes, ring electrodes, and applications requiring precise electrical resistivity and high radiopacity.
Medical Silver Plating
Silver plating for electrosurgical instruments, RF components, and applications requiring high electrical and thermal conductivity with antimicrobial properties.
Medical Device Prototype Products
ProPlate offers ready-to-order prototype products for engineers evaluating ProPlate’s coating technologies in early-stage development and design validation. All products are manufactured at ProPlate’s ISO 13485:2016 certified facilities using the same processes and bath chemistries as production programs.
Vizi-Band® Sample Kit
Five stainless steel hypotubes with selective Au Vizi-Band® at five distinct thicknesses for early feasibility testing on radiopaque marker applications.
Marker Bands & Electrodes
Au and Pt plated stainless steel marker bands and ring electrodes in various sizes.
Pull Ring Assemblies
Au and Pt plated stainless steel pull ring assemblies in various sizes.
Frequently Asked Questions About Medical Device Electroplating
What electroplating services does ProPlate offer for medical devices?
ProPlate provides precious and semi-precious metal electroplating for medical device components including gold, platinum, silver, palladium-nickel, rhodium, palladium, nickel, and copper. Services include selective plating, radiopaque marker coating via Vizi-Band®, metal deposition onto polymer substrates via Meta-Poly®, and braid plating for torque transmission enhancement via Torq-Lok®. Both facilities are ISO 13485:2016 certified in Anoka, Minnesota.
What medical device segments does ProPlate support?
ProPlate supports electrophysiology, peripheral vascular, neurovascular, structural heart, radiopharmaceutical, cardiac rhythm management, interventional cardiology, robotic-assisted surgery, endoscopy, drug delivery, implantable sensors and electrodes, and other catheter-based and implantable medical device applications. Over 80% of ProPlate’s customer base is in the medical device industry.
Is ProPlate ISO 13485:2016 certified for medical device plating?
Yes. ProPlate is ISO 13485:2016 certified across both facilities in Anoka, Minnesota. Both locations execute IQ, OQ, and PQ protocols and maintain in-house chemistry lab and inspection capabilities. ProPlate is also RoHS and REACH compliant.
What proprietary technologies does ProPlate offer for medical devices?
ProPlate has developed three proprietary medical coating technologies. Vizi-Band® selectively deposits radiopaque gold or platinum markers directly onto catheter components without crimping or swaging, eliminating dislodgement risk and enabling batch production. Meta-Poly® deposits metal onto medical-grade polymer substrates without toxic chemical etching, creating an atomically bonded conductive layer. Torq-Lok® plates metal at wire intersection points in braided catheters to lock the braid structure and increase torque transmission, pushability, and radial force performance.
Can ProPlate plate onto polymer substrates for medical devices?
Yes. ProPlate’s Meta-Poly® process deposits metal directly onto medical-grade polymer substrates including Pebax, PEEK, polyamide, urethane, nylon, and PET without chemical etching or conductive paints. The process creates an atomically bonded, biocompatible metal layer that maintains the flexibility and integrity of the polymer substrate.
Does ProPlate support medical device prototype development?
Yes. ProPlate’s New Product Process Development team supports medical device programs from early feasibility through process validation and full production scaling. Ready-to-order prototype products including gold and platinum plated marker bands, electrodes, pull ring assemblies, NdFeB magnets, and Meta-Poly® sample kits are also available through the ProPlate shop.
What metals does ProPlate use for medical device plating?
ProPlate’s medical device plating services primarily use gold and platinum for their biocompatibility, radiopacity, and electrical performance. Silver is used for electrosurgical and RF applications. Palladium-nickel is used in applications where nickel cannot be used as a barrier layer. Rhodium, palladium, nickel, and copper are also available depending on application requirements.
How does ProPlate ensure consistency from prototype to production?
ProPlate’s five-step New Product Process Development process covers feasibility evaluation, process design and development planning, verification and validation, process validation and manufacturing transfer, and ongoing continuous improvement. All processes are executed within ProPlate’s ISO 13485:2016 Quality Management System with full traceability and documentation.